Two Mikes

Chris, Mark, and everyone, this is Mike Menkus writting this. The good news is that a group I belong to is fighting this BS. I'm the group's treasurer. The group is georgiacarry.org and our web address is www.georgiacarry.org . We are suing several probate judges for violating the law on the 60 day issuance requirement, refusing to issue temporary permits, requiring more information than permitted by law such as social security numbers, employment information, etc. We've got a 60 days case in front of the appeals court right now. I'm not sure when a ruling is expected. Ideally, we will win and that ruling would apply to all courts in the State. Here is a link to the case with all of the documents. http://georgiacarry.org/cms/category/action-items/60-days/ The judge in that case responded to effect that the 60 day requirement doesn't apply to her because she doesn't want it to apply to her (nice). When we did research about turnaround times we found the metro atlanta area had the worst. There are some counties where you walk in, apply, get fingerprinted, and get your license ... all within 2 hours. I've heard Gwinnett is fast. In Oconee County, the Sheriff is a good guy and will help if you have issues, which is highly unlikely. Fulton ... I'm not sure what to say except you are not alone. I am aware of another IPSC shooter with the same issue. We also are suing Cobb County for not issueing temporary permits. I'm the plantiff. Once again, the Judge thinks he's above the law. I can't comment on an open forum about the status but am happy to discuss it next time I see you. Here is the link for all of the documents: http://georgiacarry.org/cms/category/actio...orary-licenses/ We aren't really a "shall issue" state. There is that pesky "of good moral character" clause in section 16-11-129 (d) that originated in the Jim Crow era. The entire process was meant to prevent Blacks from bearing arms. If you look at this law and compare it to the laws disenfranchising Blacks, you'll see the same methods used, and it was written by the same folks. The reason the Probate Judges are used is that its an elected office and since Blacks weren't allowed to hold office back then, all Probate Judges were white. They also have judicial immunity. Hence, the Probate Judges could be counted on to reject every application submitted by a Black. Its shameful that these Jim Crow era laws are still on the books and are still defended by our leaders. Back to the suits .... the attorney time and filing fees are being funded by the Board members. We are looking for members so we can fund more lawsuits and our appeals to the Georgia Supreme Court if neccessary. The fees and expenses are expensive. We'd like to do more since we have more targets than ammo (money). Here is the link for the membership information: http://georgiacarry.org/cms/georgiacarryorg-membership/ We also are going to be active at the Legislature to get rid of the public gathering nonsense (another law written by white sepremacists to prevent Blacks from bearing arms. The Public Gathering clause was added after the Camilla Massacre in 1870'ish). If we can, we going to get the licensing process changed too. Our legislative priority is the public gathering nonsense though since we think we'll be successful enforcing the law regarding the process agianst the Probate Judges. Now for the bad news. The Republicans aren't our friends and lately seem quite anti-gun. I spoke to one of the sponsors of HB1032, which is the law change per the ATF. He knew his law would cause delays and doesn't have any plans to remedy it. Prior to the election, Sonny would not allow concealed carry reform bills to be introduced. The Georgia Supreme Court just ruled against a gun owner and said that the second amendment doesn't apply in Georgia and we have no right to bear arms under the state consitution. UGH!!! You can do two things to improve our stituation: 1) Call your state senator and representative and complain about the turnaround time and the public gathering clause. This costs nothing and they may be able to call the Probate Judge for you. This has helped some people get their license quicker. 2) Join GeorgiaCarry.Org. So we can continue to sue the Probate Judges to get them to follow the law. See you at the range, Mike Menkus

I'm not a Kentuckian but my sister lives in Lexington, not far from Bluegrass Sportsman Club. Bluegrass doesn't seem to run IPSC-Pistol nor Steel. Do you have any recommendations of good IPSC or Steel matches in the Lexington area.

... and an unfavorable reputation. Part of the fun of Production, is the loading and stage strategy. Nothing sharpens your focus as realizing that you have to make 10 hits with 10 rounds.

I care very much ... However, I respect the AD's to make the best decision for the organization and my area. They are our representatives.

Would Classifications also be simplified into Stock and Race?

How did the RO figure that out? That is mighty impressive ROing. Sounds like the best of best RO at Nationals.

Using off the shelf new manufactured ammo completes the "box stock" off-the-shelf philosophy. Reloaded ammunition is no different than changing out springs. Both are a form of customization to deal with recoil. The ideal situation would be that a competitor could go to a gun store and pull ammo and a firearm off the shelf and compete without the need for gunsmithing or other mods. I'd also get rid of the Single Action prohibition in Production. If a gun is box-stock, it should be able to qualify in the division, regardless of the action. In my little kingdom the divisions would be broken out as follows Production - Box Stock / Off-The-Shelf Firearms and Ammo Limited and Limited 10 - gunsmithed, tweaked, and custom guns with customized ammo Open - electronic sighted guns PS - Eric's Grip Tape Rules

Grip tape offers some performance advantages but its primary benefit is a more secure grip, which is a safety improvement. Grip tape is unrelated to the mechanism of the gun or its original design, which remains box-stock. Sight are similar in that new sights don't impact the mechanism of the gun or its orginal design. Better sights means more accuracy, which offers improved safety to a lesser degree than Grip Tape. How is that for range lawyering without a license?

My 2 cents .... Production should be a box-stock division with the only mods being polishing, grip tape and post and notch sights. No custom triggers, no grinding or redesigning the mechanism, nor any non-manufacturer made parts. Just box stock that you could buy at the gun store. I'd add an additional requirement that the ammo be new off-the-shelf factory ammo. That would complete the box-stock philosophy. The 10 round limit and holster/pouch locations add a nice challenge and differentiation to the division and should be retained.

Didn't the little shards of lead, cooper, rocks, etc cut up your feet and toes? Sounds gross coming home with range dust between my toes. My athletes foot is flaring up just thinking about it. Kids don't come with an owners manual. Some parents instinctively know what to do, others need alot of help and guidance. Demographics have nothing to do with parenting knowledge. I've seen gang-bangers and immigrants who were great parents and I've seen corporate executive who are complete morons with kids. 6 years old is too young physically. Their little ears are growing and easily damaged. 6 years old is too young mentally because they don't understand the linkage between their actions and the results. For example, they are focused and safe when someone is watching them because they know its a special situation, however when nobody is watching, its playtime, time to chase a rabbit or pick flowers on a berm ..... down range. I was most likely to DQ when I was comfortable with the sport but didn't have enough experience to be unconsciencely compent. The first matches, I was safe. After a while, I got looser and looser until a very big man gave me the "talk".

I had to google an M203 ...... The M203 grenade launcher is a single-shot weapon designed for use with the M16 series rifle and fires a 40mm grenade. The M203A1 grenade launcher is a single-shot weapon designed for use with the M4 series carbine and also fires a 40mm grenade. Both have a leaf sight and quadrant site. The M203 is also being used as the delivery system for a growing array of less-than-lethal munitions. Wow! Now that will be exciting!

Two alternatives is to ask one of squadmates to follow the scorer and record your scores or ask to see the sheet after the scorer is done. The rotating RO's helps share the burden of running the match. Some stages you RO, others you tape, etc. Scoring while shooting helps speed up the match, as long as if its safe.

aaah darn, now I have buy a new gun .... a S&W to show my support of thier new talent. Perhaps a 22 rimfire. I'm sure my wife will understand and waive the "too many guns in the house, thus you have to sell one to buy one rule". Congratulations and best wishes for a bright future! Tell your boss that at least one handgun purchase was due to them hiring you. I hope to see you back here in Georgia soon. Mike Menkus

Latina Rules Are Real Now THERE'S a couple that knows how to fight! Tue Mar 14, 2006 09:36 AM ET MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A Mexican couple were recovering separately after a marital spat got out of control and saw them firing guns, throwing knives and hurling homemade bombs, Mexican daily Milenio said on Monday. In scenes taken straight out of hit romantic comedy "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Juan Espinosa and Irma Contreras fought until their house blew up in a homemade gasoline bomb explosion, Milenio said. Police called to the home in the indigenous Mayan Indian town of Oxkutzcab in the southeastern state of Yucatan arrested Espinosa. Contreras was taken to hospital with third-degree burns. A local police official confirmed the report but declined to provide further information. In the violence-filled movie about the fictional Smiths, Pitt and Jolie play married assassins ordered to kill each other. Espinosa told reporters he was glad his wife had suffered burns, while Contreras said she was only sorry she had not "hacked off his manhood" during the fight.

What are the rules/laws for bringing firearms to your match? I'm from GA so I'd be fllying into Newark